
Yocheved Lifshitz, left, and Nurit Cooper, who were held as hostage by Palestinian Hamas militants, are seen in these undated handout photo combination. The International Committee of the Red Cross says Hamas militants have released both Lifshitz and Cooper it had been holding captive in the Gaza Strip. AP
On Hamas's official Telegram channel, Al-Qassam Brigades announced that through Egyptian and Qatari mediation, the militant group decided to release two Israeli captives "Nurit Yitzhak" and " Yocheved Lifshitz."
The group added in its short that statement the Israeli government had refused to accept the two senior citizens since last Friday and has been neglecting its captives.
“Despite the occupation's commitment to certain procedures agreed upon with the mediators today for the handover process, we have decided to release them due to compelling humanitarian and health reasons.”
Al-Qassam added that this is despite the occupation government violating the agreed-upon procedures more than eight times on the same day.
On Friday following a Qatari mediation, two American captives were released.
Israel says 203 people -- Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners -- were abducted by Hamas gunmen during their attacks two weeks ago. At least 1,400 people were killed.
Israel has responded with a relentless bombing campaign against the Gaza Strip that has left at least 5,087 people dead, mostly civilians including 2,055 children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.


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